25th annual Buckmasters Expo this weekend

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Buck targets are arranged in key spots on the floor. Crews set up for this weekend's Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. It takes place in downtown Montgomery during the 25th annual Buckmasters Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery Convention Center. Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Chris Chastain installs limbs on a tree. Crews set up for this weekend's Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. It takes place in downtown Montgomery during the 25th annual Buckmasters Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery Convention Center. Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Gator targets line the floor. Crews set up for this weekend's Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. It takes place in downtown Montgomery during the 25th annual Buckmasters Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery Convention Center. Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Allen Sanders, right, general manager at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, talks to the crew as they set up for this weekend's Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. It takes place in downtown Montgomery during the 25th annual Buckmasters Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery Convention Center. Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Crews set up for this weekend's Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. It takes place in downtown Montgomery during the 25th annual Buckmasters Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery Convention Center. Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Buck targets are arranged in key spots on the floor. Crews set up for this weekend's Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. It takes place in downtown Montgomery during the 25th annual Buckmasters Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery Convention Center. Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Buck targets are arranged in key spots on the floor. Crews set up for this weekend's Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. It takes place in downtown Montgomery during the 25th annual Buckmasters Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery Convention Center. Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Allen Sanders, left, general manager at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, waves to the crew as they set up for this weekend's Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. It takes place in downtown Montgomery during the 25th annual Buckmasters Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery Convention Center. Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Crews set up for this weekend's Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. It takes place in downtown Montgomery during the 25th annual Buckmasters Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery Convention Center. Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Buck targets are arranged in key spots on the floor. Crews set up for this weekend's Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018. It takes place in downtown Montgomery during the 25th annual Buckmasters Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Montgomery Convention Center. Shannon Heupel/Advertiser

Three-day event starts Friday; admission free with a can of food

Deer hunters and their families are setting their sights on the Montgomery Convention Center this weekend when the 25th Buckmasters Expo comes to town Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

One of the nation’s biggest and most-attended shows of its kind, the Buckmasters Expo is where hunters unofficially kick off their deer seasons.

“There’s something for everyone here,” said Buckmasters founder Jackie Bushman. “Hunters come to pick up new gear and watch the archery tournament, but there’s a ton of entertainment and things to do for the whole family. You don’t have to be a hunter to have a great time at the Expo, but if you’re part of a hunting family, it’s that much better.”

Like most events of its kind, the heart of the Buckmasters Expo is the hundreds of retailers and exhibitors offering the latest items and clothing to help make the coming hunting season more successful. But the Expo also features celebrities like Troy and Jacob Landry from TV’s “Swamp People.” Other big names include Matt Duff of “Major League Bowhunter,” Realtree’s David Blanton, and Nate Hosie, host of “Headhunters TV.”

Hosie, also a country music star, will be the opening act for a Saturday night concert featuring 70s rock legend Mark Farner, one of the original members of Grand Funk Railroad.

Troy and Jacob Landry will be at this year's Buckmaster's Expo in Montgomery.(Photo: contributed)

“The Buckmasters Expo isn’t just about shopping for gear,” Bushman said. “It’s really a celebration of the outdoors lifestyle where sportsmen bring their families and enjoy a day of fun and entertainment.”

Another thing that sets apart the Buckmasters Expo above other outdoors shows is the price of admission: just a can of food per person (or a $1 donation) to benefit the area’s hungry and less fortunate.

“Hunters are the kind of people who go out of their way to help their friends and neighbors,” Bushman said. “From the start, we wanted the Expo to reflect that giving spirit, and we wanted folks to be able to bring their families without spending a fortune. We collect the food at the door and share it between The Salvation Army and Friendship Mission, who organize it all and turn it into meals for those in need.”

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Jackie Caudle competes in the Buckmastyers World Championships at the Buckmasters Expo in Montgomery, Ala., on Friday August 18, 2017.(Photo: Mickey Welsh / Advertiser)

Another unique aspect of the Buckmasters Expo is the Top Bow Indoor World Championship archery competition. The nation’s best archers go head-to-head against each other and the nerve-crushing Top Bow pop-up 3D range. The competition runs continuously throughout the Expo, culminating on Sunday when the new champion is crowned.

“The skill of these archers will blow your mind,” Bushman said. “It’s a lot like deer hunting. They have to identify a legitimate target, judge the distance, conquer their nerves and make a clean shot to the vitals area. Only bucks are scorable targets, and sometimes the targets move. This will be the 30th Top Bow competition, and I still get chills watching these world-class athletes shoot their bows.”

Other attractions include free antler scoring from BTR master scorers, the Alabama 4-H Summer Invitational Tournament, and the Young Bucks Zone with games and activities for kids.